HB 63 and SB 8, the companion to HB 63, further restrict minors from having access to abortions through obtaining permission from the court, known as judicial bypass, by adding the following provisions:
-Outlining a higher level of evidence for permission to be granted
-Requiring courts to specifically ask the extent that a minor had been instructed on giving testimony or answering questions at the hearing
-Mandating that the courts ask questions about the minor’s understanding of potential emotional and physical risks of an abortion and the minor’s response to the risks should they occur.
Jurisdiction/Legislation Level
State
LCS Legislation Status
http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/hou129.nsf/House+Bill+Number/0063?OpenDoc...
Our Take on This Bill
Women of all ages deserve control over their reproductive choices, but young women who are still minors are especially vulnerable to being deprived of choice. Ohio law already dictates that minors have parental consent before an abortion, and judicial bypass, or getting permission from a court, is a process to help ensure that these young women have their reproductive rights when circumstances at home would otherwise be a barrier. HB 63 and its companion bill SB 8 take steps to make it harder for minors to make their case in court and further limit minors’ access to reproductive choice.
Committees
Health and Aging (H)
